Which restaurants and bars in Sioux Falls closed in 2017? We've got the list of eating and drinking establishments that didn't make it to 2018.
Jeremy Fugleberg

Just when you think it's safe to wrap up end-of-the-year lists, this happens. Bracco World Cafe and Island Barand retro sports bar Starz, both located in The Bridges at 57th shopping center, informed the Sioux Falls Business Journal in the last full week of the year they would close Dec. 31. If the reaction to the closure is any indication, Bracco had a loyal crowd of regular patrons and people who loved its outdoor patio. It had revamped its menu earlier this yearand appeared to be doing well in terms of customers. It opened in 2006.

The old Bracco location at 57th Street and Western Avenue was attractive to Vanguard executives because of their admiration for the eatery before it went out of business, spokeswoman Barbara Christen said.

“It’s a beautiful restaurant,” said Christen, who does public relations work for Vanguard through her ad agency Meat & Potatoes Marketing. “I know that it’s something they’re very excited about.”

Vanguard executives aren’t ready to discuss plans to rebrand Bracco—whether they’re considering a new menu and direction for the restaurant, Christen said.

The fine-dining establishment in western Sioux Falls was christened as Morrie’s Steakhouse after Vanguard purchased the site, redesigned the interior and developed a new brand and name to reflect a 1930s-inspired theme.

“By re-branding it wasn’t like you had to rebuild or change everything,” Christen said.

The old Bracco site is part of The Bridges at 57th, a commercial development by Van Buskirk Companies.

Former Bracco owner TNT Hospitality Group announced in December it was closing the location, along with neighboring sports bar Starz.

TNT still owns Spezia in Sioux Falls and Omaha, Nebraska, as well as a Bracco location in Okoboji.

“The one thing I hear over and over and over is Vanguard has the hospitality component down,” Christen said. “The Vanguard guys are going to do what they do best.”